ďItís never a good idea to discuss religion or politics with
people you donít really know.Ē Agree or disagree?

This prompt is fitting, considering today during lunch, a few coworkers and I were discussing religion and politics. Coworkers whom I don't know that well but would like to know better.

I think that it isn't necessarily a good idea because you'll never know who will be offended with your point of view. However, I do think that it is something that needs to be done more often. We as humans have a tendency to live in our own little worlds and look throughout a finite lens. Everything we see is automatically colored with our point of view. Someone discusses a conflict happening in another area of the world, a side is automatically taken depending on who we perceive to be right or wrong. There seems to be a need to have an opinion on everything, to take a stance for every small problem. I understand the saying "Stand for nothing, fall for anything." But honestly, I think sometimes instead of standing and shouting, we need to sit and listen and acknowledge another persons perspective.
That is what makes us all unique, our ideas and perspectives. The way I look at the world is not the same as the person sitting next to me, nor is their way the same as the person sitting next to them. By discussing politics and religion with those who we don't know, we are not only opening our minds to the thoughts and ideas of others but we are offering them something that is difficult to come by nowadays. Compassion and understanding. When people have a voice, they have one because they want to be heard. They don't want to be judged or perceived as right or wrong, just heart. Just acknowledged. They want their opinion to matter, whatever it may be.
At least that's all I want.

Most days, I could care less if someone agreed with me and what I had to say. I have a voice. And I want to be acknowledged and respected the same way you'd respect me if I shared your opinion. We're all human, shouldn't that be common ground enough?